Law of Retribution

Law of Retribution

Every wrong action or crime brings its own punishment, in accordance with the law of retribution. The law of causation, the law of action and reaction, the law of compensation and the law of retribution-all these operate together. He who robs another man robs himself. He who hurts another man hurts himself first. He who cheats another cheats himself first. Every wrong action causes punishment first in the inner nature or soul and externally in circumstances in the form of pain, misery, loss, failure, misfortune, disease, etc.

Man is ignorant. He is swayed by impulses, wrath, passion, attachment, pride and repulsion. He does various sorts of wicked actions. His intellect becomes perverted. He loses his memory. His understanding gets clouded by selfishness and greed. He does not know what he is exactly doing. Later on he repents. Discipline of the Indriyas is necessary. He should remember the law of causation, the law of action and reaction, and the law of retribution at every step, at every moment of his daily life. He should control his emotions and impulses through the practice of Pranayama and meditation. Then only will he not do any wrong action.

Remember that God is neither partial nor unjust. You suffer on account of your own wicked actions. Sow the seeds which will bring pleasant fruits and which will make you happy herein and hereafter. Do not sow the seeds which will bring unpleasant fruits and which will make you miserable and unhappy in this life or hereafter. Be cautious in doing your daily duties. Watch every thought, word and action. Go to the root and purify the thoughts first. Prayer, Japa, meditation, study of philosophical books, pure food, Vichara and Satsanga will purify your mind and eradicate ignoble and wicked thoughts. Observe the vow of silence, you will then be able to control your speech. Practise Yama and Niyama, Ahimsa, Satyam, Asteyam, Brahmacharya and Aparigraha. Develop Sattvic qualities. Slowly eradicate negative qualities. By these practices you will not be able to do any wrong action. The force of Sattvic habits will goad you on to do virtuous actions only.

Orthodox Christians and theologians believe that God settles and fixes the destiny of a man before his birth. This is not logical and tenable. The hypothesis falls to the ground on account of its unsound nature. Man becomes like a piece of straw that is tossed about hither and thither in the wind. He has no independence and freedom. This makes God partial, unjust and whimsical. The moral responsibility and liberty of a man are destroyed. The man becomes like a prisoner whose hands and legs are tied with chains. Why should God make one happy and another unhappy? Is He so whimsical and eccentric? Why should one get His Grace before he is born? Is he so biased? If God is all-merciful why can He not make all equally noble, virtuous, happy, good, moral and spiritual? Why is one born blind? Why should a sinner be responsible for his actions? Is he pre-ordained to sin? Why should he suffer owing to the whim of such a Creator? Questions like these remain a puzzle if you accept the theory of ‘pre-ordination and Grace’. The doctrine of Karma alone will give satisfaction. It is sound. It appeals to reason. It throws a flood of dear light. Everyone reaps the fruits of his own actions. Man can do and undo his destiny by his own thoughts and character. He is a free agent. He may be a bad man in this birth, but he can change his thoughts, habits, tendencies and character and can become a good man or a saint in the next birth. He has free will. He can choose between two alternatives at every step. The theory of ‘preordination and Grace’ cannot be accepted. It falls to the ground as it is unsound and untenable.

The doctrine of Karma only can explain the mysterious problem of good and evil in this world. The doctrine of Karma only can bring solace, contentment and strength to the afflicted and the desperate. It solves our difficulties and problems of life. It gives encouragement to the hopeless and the forlorn. It pushes a man to right thinking, right speech and right action. It brings a brilliant future for that man who lives according to this universal law. If all people understand this law correctly and discharge their daily duties carefully they would rise to sublime heights in the ladder of spirituality. They will be moral and virtuous and have a happy, peaceful and contented life. They can bear the burden of Samsara with patience, endurance and strength of mind. There will not be any room for complaint when they see inequalities in birth, fortune, intelligence and capacities. There will be heaven on earth. All will rejoice even in suffering. Greed, jealousy, hatred, anger and passion will vanish. Virtue will reign supreme everywhere. We will have a glorious Satyayuga now with peace and plenty everywhere. Blessed is the man who understands and lives in the law, for he will soon attain God-consciousness and become one with the Law-giver. Then the law will no longer operate on him.

Law of Retribution – Karma, Justice, and Moral Responsibility

Law of Retribution is a moral and spiritual principle which teaches that every action produces a result according to its nature. Good actions bring harmony, peace, and growth, while wrong actions create suffering, disturbance, and bondage. This law is not based on anger or revenge. It is based on justice, balance, and the natural connection between cause and effect. Whatever a person thinks, speaks, and does leaves an impression and returns in some form.

Human life is not random. Every choice carries power. A kind word may give strength to someone, while a harsh word may wound deeply. Honest work builds trust, while cheating creates fear and guilt. Selfless service purifies the heart, while selfishness makes the mind narrow. In this way, life constantly reflects the quality of our actions.

Law of Retribution does not mean that punishment always comes immediately. Sometimes a person may do wrong and appear successful for some time. Sometimes a good person may suffer despite noble conduct. This delay can confuse the mind. But the result of action does not disappear simply because it is not seen at once. A seed planted in the ground takes time to grow. In the same way, actions produce results when conditions become suitable.

This principle is closely connected with karma. Karma means action, but it also includes intention, desire, thought, speech, and habit. The outer action is important, but the inner motive behind it is also powerful. Giving charity for fame and giving charity with compassion may look similar outside, but their inner effects are different. The heart behind the action decides its deeper value.

Law of Retribution teaches responsibility. A person cannot continue harmful behavior and expect peace. If someone repeatedly lies, trust will be lost. If someone lives in anger, relationships will become painful. If someone follows greed, satisfaction will move farther away. Wrong action may give temporary pleasure, but it creates inner weakness and future suffering.

At the same time, this law should not make people harsh or judgmental. When someone suffers, it is not wise to blame them cruelly. Human life is complex, and many causes work together. Compassion should always remain. The purpose of this teaching is not to condemn others, but to awaken awareness in ourselves. It tells us to live carefully, speak wisely, and act with purity.

Law of Retribution also works inside the mind. Every action shapes character. When a person chooses truth again and again, truthfulness becomes natural. When they choose patience, patience becomes stronger. When they choose anger, anger becomes easier. When they choose laziness, laziness becomes a habit. Thus, the first result of action appears within the person who performs it.

This inner result is very important. A person may hide wrong actions from society, but they cannot hide them from their own conscience. Conscience silently records the quality of conduct. After a wrong action, the mind may feel uneasy, fearful, or guilty. After a noble action, the heart feels light. This shows that moral law is not only outside; it is also written within human nature.

Law of Retribution encourages self-correction. If a person has made mistakes, they should not become hopeless. The same law that brings results of wrong actions also supports the power of good actions. Through repentance, discipline, service, truthfulness, and self-control, a person can change direction. New actions can create new impressions and a better future.

Spiritual wisdom says that one should act rightly without selfish attachment. Good actions should not be done only for reward, praise, or fear of punishment. They should be done because they are true, pure, and necessary. When action is performed with ego, even goodness may become mixed with pride. When action is performed with humility and devotion, it purifies the soul.

This principle also teaches patience during difficulty. A person may not always understand why certain experiences come, but they can choose how to respond. Suffering can become a teacher if met with courage, reflection, and wisdom. Instead of becoming bitter, one can ask, “What can I learn? How can I act better now?” This attitude turns pain into growth.

Daily life gives many chances to practice this understanding. Before speaking, ask whether the words will create peace or pain. Before acting, ask whether the action is honest and useful. Before following desire, ask whether it will bring freedom or bondage. Such small pauses protect a person from future regret.

In the end, the moral law of action and result reminds us that life is deeply connected with responsibility. Nothing done with intention is completely lost. Thoughts become actions, actions become habits, habits become character, and character shapes destiny. A wise person therefore chooses truth over falsehood, compassion over cruelty, discipline over desire, and humility over pride. Through right action, life becomes peaceful, meaningful, and spiritually strong.

Law of Action and Reaction